News commentary

News commentary

39th African Union Summit: The High Price of Silence, When “African Solutions” Ignore African Lives

Pan-Africanism has always been more than rhetoric; it was born from the belief that African lives matter equally, whether threatened by colonial oppression yesterday or by internal conflict today. If continental unity cannot meaningfully address the suffering of ordinary citizens caught in prolonged violence, then the promise of “The Africa We Want” risks becoming aspirational

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News commentary

The British southern Cameroons Decolonization, and the Question of Unfinished Self-Determination: Reflections for South Africa

For South African readers, the issue in Bamenda should not be viewed through the lens of confrontation, but through the lens of unfinished constitutional dialogue. Durable peace — whether through enhanced federalism, autonomy, or another lawful arrangement — must rest on clarity, consent, and constitutional legitimacy. By Timothy Enongene Guest Editor-in-Chief The Independentistnews BAMENDA February

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THE CPDM TRAP—CHIEFTAINCY AS A POLITICAL SUBSIDIARY

Under this perspective, traditional leaders should function as non-partisan custodians of culture and unity, serving all members of their communities regardless of political affiliation. The ongoing dispute in Bangolan is therefore seen by some as part of a wider struggle to redefine the role of traditional authority in contemporary governance. By Lester Maddox, Guest WriterIndependentistnews,

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THE SDO IS NOT A KINGMAKER—ADMINISTRATIVE OVERREACH IN BANGOLAN

The SDO’s attempt to impose a leader who has lost the mandate of his Kingmakers risks deepening local divisions. It reinforces the perception that, under the current system, traditional rulers are increasingly viewed as auxiliaries of the administration rather than independent custodians of custom. By Lester Maddox, Guest WriterIndependentistnews, Oakland County, California The ongoing crisis

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Conflict Fatigue and the Urgent Need for Political Solutions in Cameroon

When communities feel caught between armed actors, intelligence cooperation declines and stabilization efforts face increasing obstacles. Under such circumstances, even well-equipped forces struggle to achieve sustainable security outcomes. By Ali Dan Ismael, Editor in Chief The Independentistnews Performance Abroad vs. Reality at Home Recent international discussions surrounding the performance of various national security units have

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CHASING FLIES WHILE THE MEAT ROTS: A RESPONSE TO THE MP FOR NWA

A widely shared proverb reminds us that when a deeper problem exists, treating only the visible symptoms will not resolve the crisis. Lasting peace in Nwa and surrounding communities will likely require confronting the root causes of conflict through inclusive and credible political processes, rather than focusing solely on immediate manifestations of violence. By Timothy

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THE GUARDIAN POST AND THE CHRIS ANU CONTROVERSY: A DISPUTE OVER REPRESENTATION AND LEGITIMACY

Chris Anu remains a highly controversial figure within Ambazonian politics. Critics accuse him of poor leadership decisions, internal divisions, and actions that weakened certain armed groups, particularly in Lebialem. By Timothy Enongene, Guest Editor-in-Chief TheIndependentistnews YAOUNDÉ 16 February 2026 – A recent report by The Guardian Post Newspaper, concerning a purported “memorandum” for dialogue sent

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Cameroon Conflict: A War Entering Its Tenth Year — and Time Is Running Out for Everyone

Time, once assumed to favor stability, now threatens to erode it. In conflicts like this, there are ultimately no winners — only societies that emerge wounded for generations. By Carl SandersGuest Contributor The Independetistnews A Crisis That Refuses to End As Cameroon’s conflict in the Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions enters its tenth year, one

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Import Substitution or Imported Failure? Cameroon Risks Repeating a Costly Economic Mistake

The success of this new program will depend less on funding announcements and more on whether governance reforms, accountability mechanisms, and economic policies are strong enough to deliver sustainable change. By The Independentistnews Political/Economic Desk Cameroon is once again preparing to borrow heavily—over CFA 3 trillion in projected new debt—to finance an import-substitution program intended

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The Great Institutional Mirage: Why Nkwen and Bambili Bypassed Biya’s “House of Chiefs”

Communities did not require distant administrators to resolve boundary or land disputes. Local institutions carried legitimacy because they exercised real authority. Today’s structures, many argue, fail to replicate that level of autonomy. By Timothy EngoneneGuest Editor-in-Chief, The Independentistnews BAMENDA February 10, 2026 – The ongoing land dispute between the brotherly communities of Nkwen and Bambili

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